Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), a leading provider of commercial satellites, today announced that the EchoStar XVI satellite, designed and built for EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), was launched yesterday and is successfully performing post-launch maneuvers according to plan. The satellite deployed its solar arrays on schedule following its launch aboard a Proton Breeze M launch vehicle provided by International Launch Services (ILS) from the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan. The satellite will begin firing its main thruster tomorrow in order to start maneuvering into geosynchronous orbit.

"EchoStar and SS/L have a long history of collaboration and teamwork," said John Celli, president of Space Systems/Loral. "The power and capability of EchoStar XVI to deliver high-definition television services is a testament to this ongoing relationship and we are pleased to see the satellite successfully launched."

EchoStar XVI is a high power 20-kilowatt direct broadcast satellite (DBS) that is fully leased to DISH Network. It will provide a broad range of Direct-to-Home (DTH) services in the United States. It has CONUS and spot beam transponders and will be positioned at 61.5 degrees West longitude.

EchoStar XVI is based on the highly reliable Space Systems/Loral 1300 space-proven platform, which has the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. The spacecraft is designed to deliver service for 15 years or more. With this launch, there are 72 SS/L-built satellites currently on orbit.